Handy desk device.



V PATENTED DEC. 12, 1905.

J. R. DAY.

HANDY DESK DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MARSO, 1905.

- UNITED STATES JOHN R. DAY, OF HUNTINGTON, INDIANA.

'HANDY DESK DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

A lication filed March 30, 1905. Serial No. 252,956.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. DAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Huntington, in the county of Huntington and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Handy Desk Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of a handy device for use at the desk and embodying a simple means for cutting paper, opening letters, and having a convenient scratcher for ink-erasing purposes. The device comprising the invention is likewise adapted for attachment to the person, so as to be convenient for immediate use at any time, and is provided with means for holding a pencil or the like. The means for securing the device to the person comprises a clip, and this clip, because of the peculiar construction of the device, cooperates under certain conditions of use to facilitate removal of a pen from the penholder.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a device embodying the invention-attached to the garment, a pencil being shown in dotted lines supported thereby. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the invention, a pen being illustrated in dotted lines engaged by the device preparatory to removal thereof from the holder. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the invention; Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheetmetal blank from which the device may be formed.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the sam reference characters.

In order to subserve the simplicity and cheapness of construction of the invention, it is preferred that the same be constructed entirely from a sheet-metal blank, which blank is cut and formed into suitable shape to constitute the various parts which are embodied in the construction of the invention.

Specifically describing the device, the sheetmetal blank above mentioned consists of a 7 body comprising a plate of long narrow formation having one end portion thereof folded or bent upon itself, as shown at 2, to form a clip 3. The clip 3 is adapted to engage over the outer portion of a pocket of a garment such as a vest, for instanceso as to attach the device to the person, and a spur or tongue 4. is pressed from the clip 3 toward the body 1 and forms an engaging member to positively grip or engage the garment and prevent displacement of the device therefrom. The spur or tongue 1 is also utilized as an engaging member to grip a pen when it is desired to extract the same from a penholder.

At approximately the bend 2, where the clip 3 ad oins the body 1, the said body is provided with a U-shaped cut 5, (shown in the blank in Fig. 4,) which cut, when the clip 3 has been bent upon the body 1, forms an opening at the bend 2, through which a pen may be passed, so as to permit engagement of the tongue 4therewith when the clip 3 is pressed toward the body 1. The tongue 4 thus performs a double function. The provision of the U-shaped cut 5 forms a projecting member 6 at the adjacent end of the body 1, and this member 6 constitutes a scratching-blade extended from the body 1 adjacent the clip 3.

WVhen the device is attached to the person by means of the clip 3, it is designed to use the same as a pencil-holder, and for this purpose the longitudinal edge portions of the body 1 adjacent the clip are provided with oblique or inwardly-extending cuts or slits 7. The cuts or slits 7 separate portions of the body 1 from the main portion thereof, and said separated portions are bent outwardly and toward each other to form spring-fingers 8. The fingers 8 extend in a direction opposite the clip 3, and these fingers are so shaped as to readily receive a pencil or similar article therebetween and by spring-pressure hold such article firmly in place.

At the end of the body 1 opposite that having the blade 6 extending therefrom the longitudinal edge portions of the body are bent at approximately a right angle to the plane thereof to form spaced guide members 9. The guide members 9 have a knife 10 arranged allelling relation thereto. The knife 10 may be soldered or otherwise attached to the body 1; but it is preferred that said knife shall be integral with the body. To enable the knife 10 to be integral with the body, the latter is formed at this end portion with another U- shaped cut 11, (shown in Fig. 1,-) the portions of the body upon opposite sides of the out being bent to form the guide members 9 and the portions of the body between the longi- I10 therebetween and extend longitudinally in par- O0 tudinal parallel portions of said out being bent at a right angle to the plane of the body also to form the knife above described.

The device when used as a paper-cutter affords a very advantageous construction. In such capacity the knife 10 is passed between the flap and body of an envelop, and the guide members will direct the movement of the knife in the cutting operation. In cutting paper the paper is folded over at the line upon which it is to be cut, and the knife is introduced into the space between the folded portion and the body of the paper, said folded portion and the body being received between the spaced members 9 similarly as described with reference to the cutting operation in opening an envelop.

It is designed that the device comprising the invention be made of nicely-finished material, so as to afford an ornamental as well as useful article.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of abod y having an end portion thereof folded upon itself to form a clip, a spur or tongue pressed from the clip toward the body, a portion of the clip approximately at the bend joining the same with the body being provided with an opening, and a longitudinally-extending member at the opening in the clip forming a scratching-blade.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of the body 1, having the clip 3 bent from the end thereof, and the U-shaped cut 5 in the body forming an opening at the bend of the clip and the scratchingblade 6 adjacent thereto.

3. Inadeviceofthe class described,the combination of the body 1, having the clip 3 bent from the end thereof, the U-shaped cut 5 in the body forming an opening at the bend of the clip and the scratching-blade 6 adjacent thereto, and the spur or tongue 4 projecting from the clip toward the body 1 and adapted to engage a pen passed through the opening in the clip.

4:. Inadevice of the class described, the combination of a body having longitudinal edge portions bent at an angle to the plane thereof to form spaced guide members, anda knife forming an integral bent portion of the body arranged between the guide members aforesai In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. DAY. [L. s.] Witnesses:

MARY VERNERDER, JosEPHUs HULL. 

